my microcosm

Henry & Glenn Forever

Starring super-notorious musclebound punk/metaldudes Glenn Danzig and Henry Rollins (with a little help from super-notorious soft-rockdudes Hall and Oates) Henry & Glenn Forever is a love story to end all love stories! The premise of this comic is explained in the beginning, “Henry and Glenn are very good 'friends.' They are also 'room mates.' Daryl and John live next door. They are satanists.” What follows is ultra-metal violence and cryfest diary entries, cringing self-doubt and mega-hilarious emo-meltdowns. Who knew Danzig was such a vulnerable, self-conscious sweety-pie? Who knew Rollins was such a caring spouse? Who knew Hall and Oates were so infernally evil—yet so considerate? Well, illustrating/writing team Igloo Tornado (featuring super-awesome comixdude Tom Neely) did and they kicked down 66 fully-illustrated pages with it. Genius on all fronts. Terrifyingly cute. Cutely terrifying. As the real-life Rollins says, quoted on the back cover,
“Has Glenn seen this? Trust me, he would not be impressed.”

"One of my favorite uses of satire is a comic book that depicts me in a romantic relationship with rock vocalist Glenn Danzig. I have never opened a copy; I am happy to live the rest of my life never knowing what happens to the two of us in those pages.

I have, however, signed the covers of many copies for people. They ask me what I think about it and all I can come up with is that I don’t care, because I really don’t.

I am told that in the story, our neighbors (Mr. Danzig and I live together) are Hall and Oates! If I were to find that anything less than hilarious, then I am in the wrong business."

Amos Lassen10/10/2011

The triumph of love and learning that an appearance says nothing about a person and this is a wonderful look at gay love via a graphic novel.

KEXP12/8/2010

If you have a punk or metal fan who needs a stocking stuffer, this brilliant work of half-cocked satire is perfectly pleasing. Even those who just know how seriously Danzig and Henry Rollins can take themselves, and don’t LOVE “Twist of Cain” or “Police Story" as much as I do, still giggle helplessly when they pick it up at my apartment. Prime satire of underground rock archetypes that deserves its own Adult Swim show.

Hanging Like a Hex11/23/2010

"This is easily the weirdest, wildest, and funniest thing to come out since... I dunno... comedy? The premise is page after page of single panel comics drawn by a few different artists regarding an idea that Henry Rollins and Glen Danzig are ‘domestic partners’. Their neighbors are 80’s rock icons Hall and Oates, who are also Satanists. You see their journal entries, you see them argue, they get cuddly with a movie at home, Hall and Oates try to kill their cat. Ya know, the basic stuff. I have no idea how this idea came to fruition, I just want to see a part two already."

Randy Spaghetti9/30/2010

"This is a very bizarre comic about a love affair between Henry Rollins, Glenn Danzig, and their satanic next door neighbors Daryl Hall and John Oats. Seriously, that’s what it’s about. It’s put together by the Igloo Tornado artist collective in Portland who seem like fun loving, beer drinking folk. I suppose that if the people portrayed in these comics had very, very progressive senses of humor they might think this to be the ultimate tribute to them. I suspect that they don’t and assume that they are pretty pissed off about it all. Did I like the zine? yea, it's quite funny and weird as hell. If someone wrote a comic called Glenn and Randy about Danzig and I, I would laugh my ass off, but then of course I never wrote the song, 'Mommy can I go out and kill tonight?'."

Comics and Other Imaginary Tales9/29/2010

"Henry & Glenn Forever is the love story to end all love stories! Henry and Glenn are very good friends. They are also roommates. Daryl and John live next door. They are Satanists. What follows is ultra-metal violence, cryfest diary entries, cringing self-doubt, and mega-hilarious emo-meltdowns. Terrifyingly cute. Cutely terrifying."

Racket Magazine9/29/2010

"A visual representation of a fantasy held by gay punks and queer-bashing (and probably queer) conservatives alike, Henry and Glenn Forever show “how it could have been,” should two of the punk scene’s most muscle-y (read: cuddly) frontmen have opened their beefy hearts to each other. Igloo Tornado, the artist collective with a band name better than most band names, bring you a variety of sketches, awkward moments and super-cutesy imagery featuring these two lunkheads.

It doesn’t hurt that Hall & Oates are represented as Satanic neighbors who are implicated in the kidnapping of the titular couples missing dog.

Knowing Glenn Danzig’s reputation for taking himself seriously, it’s amazing that Igloo Tornado wasn’t destroyed in a testosterone fueled shit-storm of blackness and despair. Alas, even if they were, this testament to slash fiction will survive. I hope this shit makes it’s way into the Library of Congress."

410 Media9/24/2010

"Funny and well worth reading."

Vice Magazine9/20/2010

"What if Henry Rollins and Glenn Danzig were a gay couple who lived together and they were neighbors with Hall and Oates who were also gay and satanists. It’s pretty funny. These two humorless, gym frequenting, tattooed punkies make for a hilarious gay couple. Igloo Tornado is some sort of comic group I never heard of. If you ever gave a fuck about these guys or thought they were ridiculous then go pick up this chuckler."

Roctober9/20/2010

" ... if you want to see a Misfits/Black Flag/Hall & Oates supergroup jam a Satanic black mass to the tune of "Kiss is on My List" you will be more than satisfied."

disinformation9/15/2010

"When we first saw this book among Microcosm’s up-coming releases, we anticipated a kind of tongue-in-cheek fan-fiction romance in which the macho-rockers put their tongues in one another’s cheeks – oral or otherwise.

While Henry and Glenn’ wasn’t what we’d expected, we’ve fallen in love with this warm wonder of sweet insanity.

Henry and Glenn’ consists of a number of barely connected cartoons, comic strips and journal entries created by the Igloo Tornado art collective. Rollins is clearly “The Man” in their relationship and some of the book’s best bits find Danzig decked out in various accoutrements, inquiring whether a given get-up makes “my butt look fat?”.

While the book certainly has a blast with too-easy-gay-jokes and plenty of raunchy humor, it also does a great job of keeping a straight face in a cartoon that finds Henry and Glenn watching a flock of birds circling in the sky while Rollins observes “When angels get tired they sit and rest on soft pillows of clouds…” It’s the little details that make this book more than just a clever joke. The photocopied images of handwritten journal entries bring an unexpected level of tangible reality to the crazy cartoons and a drawing of a message on a postcard from one of Henry’s spoken-word tours is so sincere you almost forget to laugh."

Maximum Rock N Roll8/28/2010

“ ... most everything in it is fucking hilarious. The bigger the fan of each of these guys you are, the bigger the laugh. I have to admit, that the thought of this combination is sorta hot. The two manliest dudes in punk history together at last. I would love to be in that sandwich ... Each page was not only entertaining, but also an exercise in assessing what degree of an ass kicking each artist is going to get from both Glenn and Henry. My guess is that their drawing days would be over ... There is one artist in particular that had me laughing damn hard. If you know the lyrics to 'Last Caress,' then you will get on of his/her funniest jokes.”

Comixology7/30/2010

"Considering that the genesis of Henry & Glenn Forever was an alcohol-fueled joke, according to the "essay" at the back of the comic and interviews with Tom Neely by Microcosm Press and Decibel Magazine, I'm happy to throw in my $4 to this group of artists for beer money."

No Homework 4Ever Magazine7/29/2010

"Starring super-notorious punk/metal dudes Glenn Danzig and Henry Rollins (with a little help from super-notorious soft-rockers Hall and Oates) Henry & Glenn Forever is the love story to end all love stories!

The premise of this comic is explained at the very front of the zine: “Henry and Glenn are very good ‘friends’, all which means they’re gay lovers, who also happen to be room mates.

Daryl Hall and John Oates live right next door, and they so happen to be satanists. What follows this already fucking crazy ass premise, is a uber-metal violence and sissy cryfest diary entries, cringing self-doubt and super-hilarious emo-meltdowns.

Little did we know that Danzig was such a vulnerable, self-conscious sweety-pie. Who the fuck knew Rollins was such a caring spouse? Who knew Hall and Oates were so nefariously evil—yet so compassionate and considerate?

Illustrating/writing team Igloo Tornado (featuring the awesomeness of Tom Neely) dropped 64 fully-illustrated pages with pure crazyness. The shit is pure genius, in each and every aspect a comic could have. As the real-life Rollins says, quoted on the back cover, “Has Glenn seen this? Trust me, he would not be impressed.”

ArtBiker World6/2/2010

"Starring super-notorious musclebound punk/metaldudes Glenn Danzig and Henry Rollins (with a little help from super-notorious soft-rockdudes Hall and Oates) Henry & Glenn Forever is a love story to end all love stories! The premise of this Cantankerous Titles-released comic is explained at the front of the zine: “Henry and Glenn are very good ‘friends.’ They are also ‘room mates.’ Daryl and John live next door. They are satanists.” What follows is ultra-metal violence and cryfest diary entries, cringing self-doubt and mega-hilarious emo-meltdowns. Who knew Danzig was such a vulnerable, self-conscious sweety-pie? Who knew Rollins was such a caring spouse? Who knew Hall and Oates were so infernally evil—yet so considerate? Well, illustrating/writing team Igloo Tornado (featuring super-awesome comixdude Tom Neely) did and they kicked down 64 fully-illustrated pages with it. Genius on all fronts. Terrifyingly cute. Cutely terrifying. As the real-life Rollins says, quoted on the back cover, “Has Glenn seen this? Trust me, he would not be impressed.”

Indie-Verse6/2/2010

"The World's Greatest Comic has been forged! I’ve never wanted to own a comic so much in my entire life…Its like someone scanned my brain and puzzled it back together in comic book form. You have no idea how badly I want to own this. You have no idea how I wish this weren’t fiction."

Just Out6/2/2010

"File this under “ludicrously awesome:” a new comic book by writer/illustrator team Igloo Tornado examines the (fictional) gay romance of the musclebound punk/metal icons Glenn Danzig and Henry Rollins.

Published by Portland’s own Microcosm Publishing, Henry & Glen Forever looks at the (again, fictional) life of the influential rockers while they support each other’s projects (“Just be yourself!” recommends Rollins to his spouse when Danzig decides to start a corpse makeup-themed band), fight, make up, and deal with their Satan-worshipping next door neighbors (who just happen to be soft rockers Hall and Oates)."

Pop Matters6/2/2010

"Do you ever lie awake at night, amongst a room cluttered with Black Flag, Misfits, and Samhain posters, wondering what it would be like if Henry Rollins and Glenn Danzig were, you know, really close and intimate? Fortunately I’m not the only one because Tom Neely and alt-comix/art crew Igloo Tornado present Henry and Glenn Forever, a new mini-comic billed as “the love story to end all love stories.”

The book showcases 64 pages of Henry and Glenn as the sensitive and tender companions we have been hoping they were."

CityBeat5/18/2010

As muscular as they are, Henry Rollins and Glenn Danzig are short men. Still, we’re not sure we’d try to pick a fight with either one. If they have jumping skills, those uppercuts would hurt like hell. The people who run Microcosm Publishing might want to “look out below” after their latest comic book release, Henry and Glenn Forever. The 64-page book tells the story of the Rock icons … as lovers. The comic exposes the faux-couple’s love life, complete with satantic next door neighbors Hall and Oates. The back cover carries this alleged quote from Rollins: “Has Glenn seen this? Trust me, he would not be impressed.” He might not be, but critics have loved it, making room for our dream follow-up, 50 Cent and Larry the Cable Guy Forever.

Buzz Grinder5/18/2010

From Team Igloo comes what might possibly be the most sacrilegious illustrated tome of all time, Henry & Glenn Forever. Not only does the comic devilishly portray the Danzig as a non-heterosexual man, but they pair him up with the Henry Rollins. As if that wasn’t grandiose enough, Hall and Oates take up as Glenn and Hank’s Satanist neighbors.

NUVO5/18/2010

Danzig has an history of erratic behavior. His viral video “hit” of a backstage brawl which ends in him getting floored hilariously documented Danzig’s aggressive attitude. A post-Columbine run-in with angry parents outside of a Marilyn Manson recording session is also a note-worthy instance of Danzig’s temper. Danzig seems more likely to punch something than to have a good laugh. These Igloo Tornado fellows had better know what they’re doing. So while you may get a chuckle out of reading Henry and Glenn Forever, just be sure that you don’t laugh TOO hard. Danzig may be close by, and chances are, he won't be too happy...

Attentiondeficitdisorderly5/18/2010

Produced by The Blot's Tom Neely and his compatriots in the Igloo Tornado collective (the fourth member of which appears to wish to remain anonymous for the purposes of this project), Henry & Glenn Forever is an email your friends, hey-you-gotta-see-this meme in minicomic form for one simple reason: It takes hardcore's two most self-consciously self-styled tough guys and casts them as lovers, not fighters. It helps if you're familiar with some of their music, since there are a handful of gags (particularly Neely's) based on Black Flag or Misfits lyrics--including the outrageously tumblriffic image I stuck at the top of this review, as well as another that's both one of the comics' few gross-out gags and almost completely indecipherable unless you know the line that comes after the line Glenn utters in the panel. But in general, all you need do is, y'know, look at how Glenn Danzig and Henry Rollins look, and then sit back and enjoy how funny it is to think of them as a sweet romantic couple who wish they could spend more time together, hate themselves for arguing, write about their Hot Topic shopping sprees in their diaries, fret about whether their fishnets will still fit them if they go see Rocky Horror at the Nuart, and so on.

Decible Magazine5/12/2010

To borrow a line from Brother Bennett, as soon as we heard about the comic book Henry & Glenn Forever, milk shot from our tits with the force of a firehose. Tom Neely is one of the members of Igloo Tornado—the masterminds behind the comic, which stars Glenn Danzig and Henry Rollins as partners in a sweet, totally regular relationship. Hall & Oates are their Satanist neighbors. (Milk. shooting. from. tits.) Neely is an artist by trade (see www.iwilldestroyyou.com for his work) and metalhead at heart. We are totally gonna carve his name into our Trapper Keeper and be his 4 eva.

Bitch Magazine5/11/2010

For more gay vatos in rock, check out a new comic book out from Micocrosm, Henry and Glenn Forever, a comic book featuring one panel gags in a universe where Glenn Danzig (of the punk band Danzig) and Henry Rollins (of the punk band Black Flag) are the kind of "roommates" that have "scare quotes" around the word "roommates." More than a political statement, this looks like a fun fantasy where Danzig and Rollins are an out and proud--but hardcore--Burt and Ernie. One reader described their comix companionship as "a loving, committed relationship. Henry loves Glenn dearly, even if occasionally his anger issues get in the way. Glenn keeps a journal about his ambitions and projects, like being in a band wearing corpse-like makeup ('Just be yourself!' recommends Henry)."

The Boston Pheonix5/11/2010

We can't believe it--there's finally an object in the world that CARRIE BROWNSTEIN and J. BENNETT agree on! The last time someone drew an unauthorized Danzig character in a comic book, Glenn threatened to settle the score -- not with a lawsuit, but with a pine box. Then again, that was 15 years ago, before everyone remembered Danzig as that guy who got punched in the face on YouTube.

Queer Sighted5/10/2010

Ellen and Portia. Neil Patrick and David. Elton and David. We're lucky enough to live in a time when rattling off the names of publicly gay couples is a relatively easy task. But how about Glenn and Henry, as in punk metal rockers Glenn Danzig and Henry Rollins? They may not be linking arms in real life, but Tom Neely introduces them in a new comic book, Henry and Glenn Forever. ... Buckle your seatbelts, nerds and gay metal heads. Your joyride awaits.

Carrie Brownstein, NPR5/10/2010

What I appreciate about the idea of Henry and Glenn Forever is that it goes beyond the tired and obvious bromance genre. We all know that bros love their bros. But this time around, Rollins and Danzig are reimagined not just as punk icons, but as gay ones. Yes, it's a funny idea, and it plays into the inherent homoeroticism of early mosh-pit man piles, but it also acknowledges that just as fans are at the mercy of our idols' creative whims, musical heroes and legends are also subject to the imaginations of the listeners.

J. Bennett, Decibel5/5/2010

The comics wizards at Igloo Tornado have proven what the rest of us only suspected: Henry & Glenn are two great tastes that taste great together. Like peanut butter and jelly. Or poppers and cherry-flavored lube. I hope it really does last forever.

Comic Book Resources, Robot 6 blog5/5/2010

[A] collection of romantic one-panel gags starring those famous star-crossed lovers, Henry Rollins and Glenn Danzig. If you've ever wanted to know how the lead singers of Black Flag and the Misfits would maintain a relationship in the face of interference from their Satan-worshipping next-door neighbors Darryl Hall and John Oates, now's your chance. Henry & Glenn Forever comes to us from Igloo Tornado, a collective consisting of The Blot's Tom Neely and his artistic compatriots Gin Stevens, Scott Nobles, and Levon Jihanian, and it's available for $4 from Microcosm.

LA Weekly5/4/2010

Henry Rollins and Glenn Danzig are in a loving, committed relationship. Henry (who sometimes looks like Chester Gould's Dick Tracy) loves Glenn dearly, even if occasionally his anger issues get in the way. Glenn keeps a journal about his ambitions and projects, like being in a band wearing corpse-like makeup ("Just be yourself!" recommends Henry). Oh, their neighbors are Hall & Oates, who are just your average neighborhood Satanists with a penchant for D&D.
This is the premise of Henry & Glenn, the new minicomic by art collective Igloo Tornado presented last week at Silverlake's comics mecca Secret Headquarters. The minicomic, of course, is an unauthorized work of fantasy, but so are the "official" personas of Rollins and Danzig. What the Igloo Tornado guys have done is turned an old metalhead parlor game ("who would win a fight? Danzig or Rollins?") into clever slash fiction, a non-explicit graphic novelette.